Albert Barnes Commentary 2 Corinthians 9:15

"Thanks be to God for his unspeakable gift." — 2 Corinthians 9:15 (ASV)

Thanks be to God. Whitby supposes that this refers to the charitable disposition they had manifested, and that the meaning is that God was to be adored for the liberal spirit they were disposed to manifest, and the aid they were disposed to render to others.

But this, it is believed, falls far short of the apostle's design. The reference is rather to the inexpressible gift God had granted them by bestowing His Son to die for them. This is one of the most striking instances in the New Testament showing that Paul's mind was full of this subject, and that wherever he began, he was sure to end with a reference to the Redeemer.

The invaluable gift of a Savior was so familiar to his mind, and he was so accustomed to dwell on that in his private thoughts, that his mind naturally and easily focused on it whenever anything occurred that by the remotest allusion would suggest it. The idea is, "Your benefactions are indeed valuable. For them, for the disposition you have manifested, and for all the good you will be enabled to accomplish through this, we are bound to give thanks to God. All this will excite the gratitude of those who will be benefited. But how small is all this compared with the great gift God has imparted by bestowing a Savior! That is unspeakable. No words can express it; no language can convey an adequate description of the value of the gift, and of the mercies that result from it."

His unspeakable gift. The word used here (anekdiēgētō) means what cannot be related, unutterable. It occurs nowhere else in the New Testament. The idea is that no words can properly express the greatness of the gift thus bestowed on humanity. It is higher than the mind can conceive, higher than language can express.

On this verse we may observe:

1. That the Savior is a gift to humanity. So He is uniformly represented (Galatians 1:4; Galatians 2:20; Ephesians 1:22; 1 Timothy 2:6; Titus 2:14).

   Humanity had no claim on God. We could not compel Him to provide a plan of salvation. The whole arrangement—the selection of the Savior, sending Him into the world, and all the benefits resulting from His work—is an undeserved gift to humanity.

2. This is a gift unspeakably great, whose value no language can express, and no heart can fully conceive. It is so because:

   • Of His own greatness and glory.
   • Because of the inexpressible love He showed.
   • Because of the unutterable sufferings He endured.
   • Because of the inexpressibly great benefits that result from His work.

   No language can do justice to this work in any of these respects; no heart in this world fully conceives the obligation that rests upon humanity by virtue of His work.

3. Thanks should be rendered to God for this. We owe Him our highest praises for this. This is apparent for these reasons:

   • Because it was mere benevolence in God. We had no claim; we could not compel Him to grant us a Savior. The gift might have been withheld, and His throne would have been spotless. We owe no thanks where we have a claim; where we deserve nothing, then one who benefits us has a claim on our thanks.
   • Because of the benefits we have received from Him. Who can express this? All our peace and hope, all our comfort and joy in this life, all our prospect of pardon and salvation, all the offers of eternal glory are to be traced to Him. A person has no prospect of being happy when they die, except by virtue of the unspeakable gift of God.

   And when a person thinks of their sins, which may now be freely pardoned; when they think of an agitated and troubled conscience, which may now be at peace; when they think of their soul, which may now be unspeakably and eternally happy; when they think of the hell from which they are delivered, and of the heaven to whose eternal glories they may now be raised up by the gift of a Savior, their heart should overflow with gratitude.

   The language should be continually on their lips and in their heart: THANKS BE UNTO GOD FOR HIS UNSPEAKABLE GIFT.

   Every other mercy should seem small compared with this. Every manifestation of right feeling in the heart should lead us to contemplate its source, and to feel, as Paul did, that all is to be traced to the unspeakable gift of God.

REMARKS on 2 Corinthians 9

1. This chapter, with the preceding one, derives special importance from the fact that it contains the most extended discussion of the principles of Christian charity that occurs in the Bible. No one can doubt that it was intended by the Redeemer that His people should be distinguished for benevolence. It was important, therefore, that there should be some portion of the New Testament where the principles on which charity should be exercised, and the motives by which Christians should be induced to give, should be fully stated. Such a discussion we have in these chapters, and they therefore demand the profound and prayerful attention of all who love the Lord Jesus.

2. We have here a striking example of the manner in which the Bible is written. Instead of abstract statements and systematic arrangement, the principles of religion are brought out in connection with a case that actually occurred. But it follows that it is important to study the Bible attentively and to be familiar with every part of it. In some part of the Scriptures, statements of the principles that should guide us in given circumstances will be found, and Christians should, therefore, be familiar with every part of the Bible.

3. These chapters are of special importance to ministers of religion and to all whose duty it is to press upon their fellow Christians the duty of giving liberally to objects of benevolence. The principles on which it should be done are fully developed here. The motives that it is lawful to urge are urged here by Paul. It may also be added that the chapters are worthy of our profound study on account of the admirable tact and address Paul shows in inducing others to give. Well he knew human nature. Well he knew the motives that would influence others to give. And well he knew exactly how to shape his arguments and adapt his reasoning to the circumstances of those whom he addressed.

4. The summary of the motives presented in this chapter still contains the most important argument that can be urged to produce liberality. We cannot but admire Paul's felicity in this address—a felicity not the result of craft and cunning, but resulting from his amiable feelings and the love he bore to the Corinthians and to the cause of benevolence.

   He reminds them of the high opinion he had of them and of the honorable mention he had been induced to make of them (2 Corinthians 9:1–2); he reminds them of the painful result to his own feelings and theirs if the collection should in any way fail, and it should appear that his confidence in them had been misplaced (2 Corinthians 9:3–5); he refers them to the abundant reward they might anticipate as the result of liberal benefactions, and of the fact that God loved those who gave cheerfully (2 Corinthians 9:6–7); he reminds them of the abundant grace of God, who was able to supply all their wants and to give them the means to contribute liberally to meet the needs of the poor (2 Corinthians 9:8); he reminds them of the joy their liberality would occasion, and of the abundant thanksgiving to God that would result from it (2 Corinthians 9:12–13); and he refers them to the unspeakable gift of God, Jesus Christ, as an example and an argument, and as urging the highest claims on them (2 Corinthians 9:15). "Who," says Doddridge, "could withstand the force of such oratory?" No doubt it was effectual in that case, and it should be in all others.

5. May the motives urged here by the apostle be effectual to persuade us all to liberal efforts to do good! Assuredly, there is no less occasion for Christian liberality now than there was in Paul's time. There are still multitudes of the poor who need the kind and efficient aid of Christians. The whole world now is a field in which Christian beneficence may be abundantly displayed, and every land may and should experience the benefits of the charity to which the gospel prompts and which it enjoins.

   Happy are they who are influenced by the principles of the gospel to do good to all people! Happy are they who have any opportunity to illustrate the power of Christian principle in this: any ability to alleviate the needs of one sufferer, or to do anything in sending that gospel to nations in spiritual darkness, which alone can save the soul from eternal death!

6. Let us especially thank God for His unspeakable gift, Jesus Christ. Let us remember that to Him we owe every opportunity to do good; that it was because He came that there is any possibility of benefiting a dying world; and that all who profess to love Him are bound to imitate His example and to show their sense of their obligation to God for giving a Savior.

   How poor and worthless are all our gifts compared with the great gift of God! How slight are our expressions of compassion, even at best, for our fellow human beings, compared with the compassion He has shown for us! When God has given His Son to die for us, what should we not be willing to give so that we may show our gratitude and benefit a dying world!